Malone, Stockton Pace Jazz Again

Karl Malone and John Stockton still have plenty left as the Utah Jazz push for the playoffs.

Malone had 28 points and nine rebounds and Stockton added 18 points and 11 assists as the Jazz beat Minnesota, 109-97, Monday night at Salt Lake City, ending the Timberwolves’ six-game winning streak.

“That’s the reason they’re legends, and they prove night in and night out why they get the accolades,” Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett said. “They are still taking it to the best of them.”

Actually, they had a little help. Matt Harpring scored 21 and Andrei Kirilenko added 10 points for the Jazz, which shot 59% and improved to 11 games above .500 for the first time this season.

“They have won six straight and have jumped all over us in the standings. When you can beat somebody in your own division, it’s a great win,” said Malone, who scored 18 of his points in the second half against the weary Timberwolves.

The Jazz outscored the Timberwolves, 60-42, in the final two quarters and improved to 3-0 against Minnesota this season, clinching the tiebreaker if the teams finish with identical records.

“They are all good wins now,” Stockton said. “We’re in a tough battle with it seems like everybody -- and they’re one of them.”

Portland 99, New York 91 -- Rasheed Wallace scored 23 points and had eight rebounds at Portland, Ore.

It was the Trail Blazers’ second consecutive win after losing their first two back from the All-Star break. Portland has won eight of 11.

The suddenly hot Knicks had opened their six-game trip with wins at Phoenix and the Lakers.

Allan Houston had a career-high and NBA-season best 53 points as the Knicks beat the Lakers, 117-110, Monday night.

Tuesday, Houston led the Knicks with 27 points, to average 35.3 points so far on the trip. Kurt Thomas added 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Detroit 93, Miami 62 -- Richard Hamilton scored a season-high 34 points and Ben Wallace added 19 rebounds at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit has won seven of eight, while the Heat has dropped three of four.

Miami was without leading scorer Eddie Jones, who missed his third straight game because of a strained groin, and finished with its lowest point total of the season.

Detroit took advantage of the slumping Heat right from the start, jumping out to a 26-14 lead in the first quarter.

Cliff Robinson had eight points in the period, while Wallace had eight rebounds.

Toronto at Washington -- The Wizards postponed the game because of severe winter weather in the Washington area. It was rescheduled for March 4.